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That's $2, Will.

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

Tampa Bay-Ray? Tampa Ayyyyyyys (thumbs up) ?

@Chuck Knoblockhead: Their minor league affliate is in Skokie.

That letter couldn't have been more effective if it was written by Rob Iracane himself.

I guess I'll just have to go back to calling them, "the team I always forget when I'm trying to list all 30".

Dear Mr. Pinto:

November 8, 2007 was a lame-ass day for our organization. On that day, we shed the "devil" from our name and became the Tampa Bay Rays. Just as March 9, 1995 was a lame-ass day for MLB. On that day we were awarded a franchise and became the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Yours lamely,

Matt Silverman
President, Tampa Bay Who Cares?

@Susspect Zero: You used my name in vain. That's $1.

But it's still OK if I never refer to them? You know, like I've always done.

My apologies, but I must continue to call Tampa Bay yhe Devil Rays. Other synonyms for horrible baseball teams like "Pirates" and "Royals" were already taken.

At the risk of self-promotion, we had a similar problem with the good folks at Archie Comics Publishing. Apparently they take issue with portraying Reggie Mantle as a grown-up, coke-addicted sexual deviant:

[foodcourtlunch.com]

Do you accept GawkerBucks™?

All proceeds to benefit future Elijah Dukes' offspring.

Spiffy letterhead, Devil R-, um Rays.

@Buttersuss Squash: I surely don't accept FutonReportDollars©.

What's the fine for calling them the St. Petersburg Rays?

New, suburst-adorned threads: fresh!
Kevin Costner: not so much.

@J. Henry Waugh: You have to attend one of their games.

No fine for calling them the Tampa Bay Triple A's.

No mention of the dumpster behind Tropicana Field where all the employees drop off a quarter each time they mutter "God, we suck"?

Since 1997, over $2 million has been raised.

"You can call me Ray, or you can call me Jay, or you can call me Johnny or you can call me Sonny, or you can call me RayJay, or you can call me RJ... but ya doesn't hafta call me Johnson!"

@J. Henry Waugh: Living in St. Petersburg.

@KittyLitterKing: sounds like my swear jar.

@NoCalAl: Beat me by that much. []

"Tampa Bay Rays" sounds really stupid. "Stingrays" would be better, or "Manatees".

I gotta say, that was a pretty charming letter.

I've always called them the Tampa Bay Nah, We'll Just Sell Those Tickets.

I just bought season tickets to the Dunedin Blue Jays, home of Carl Monday Night and You're With Me, Leather night.

I anticipate better baseball than can be seen at Tropicana Field.

Go to hell, Silverman, Devil Rays President.

Win a few games - then you take your dog and pony show so seriously, Devil Rays.